3/31/08
Photo of the Day: Santana
This is an absolutely gorgeous photograph from Doug Benc from Getty Images. Amazin'.
Game Recap: Mets 7 -- Marlins 2
The New York Mets opened their season in Miami this afternoon, receiving great performances from Johan Santana and David Wright, as they went on to win 7-2 over the Florida Marlins.
Santana pitched seven strong innings, allowing only three hits, one of which went for a 2-run home run to Josh Willingham in the bottom of the fourth inning. Those two earned runs were the only runs allowed. Santana walked two while striking out eight. He set down the first nine Marlins in a row, and also struck out four batters in a row between the fifth and sixth innings.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say everyone in their right mind is absolutely impressed and excited about this performance. I will accept no less than this for every game from here on out (kidding). Great stuff.
The eighth inning saw three pitchers make appearances, each tallied one out. Matt Wise, making his first appearance as a Met, started the inning, allowing two hits, both singles to Alfredo Amezaga and Dan Uggla. Scott Schoeneweis came in to face ex-Met Mike Jacobs, getting him to ground out to first. For the final out of the inning, Jorge Sosa came in with runners on second and third, and got Willingham to strike out swinging to end the inning.
Interesting inning management from Willie Randolph here, but I can't get on him because it worked. Wise struggled a bit, but before any damage was done he was pulled, in a nice move from Randolph. That's something I don't think he would have done last year.
Aaron Heilman finished out the game, striking out Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross to start the inning, and inducing a comebacker off the bat of Luis Gonzalez to end the game.
I didn't think he was going pitch at all when he didn't come in for the eighth. I guess we should throw out the book on how Randolph is handling the bullpen this year, or is it too early to tell?
The Mets offense came to play today, picking up 10 hits, five of them doubles.
David Wright and Carlos Beltran led the way, each picking up two doubles. Beltran started off the fourth inning with a double, scoring on an Angel Pagan double. Wright had a three-run double later in the six-run fourth, scoring Ryan Church, Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes.
Now that is how you start a season.
Reyes went 2-4, scoring once and driving in one run. Castillo was on base three times, picking up one hit and walking twice. Church and Marlon Anderson each picked up one hit on the day. Anderson singled in the ninth inning, moved to second on a Reyes sac-bunt, swiped third on a passed ball, and scored on the same play when Cantu couldn't handle the throw from Matt Treanor.
I could get used to some of this small ball stuff.
Game Ball: Mr. Johan Santana.
Santana pitched seven strong innings, allowing only three hits, one of which went for a 2-run home run to Josh Willingham in the bottom of the fourth inning. Those two earned runs were the only runs allowed. Santana walked two while striking out eight. He set down the first nine Marlins in a row, and also struck out four batters in a row between the fifth and sixth innings.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say everyone in their right mind is absolutely impressed and excited about this performance. I will accept no less than this for every game from here on out (kidding). Great stuff.
The eighth inning saw three pitchers make appearances, each tallied one out. Matt Wise, making his first appearance as a Met, started the inning, allowing two hits, both singles to Alfredo Amezaga and Dan Uggla. Scott Schoeneweis came in to face ex-Met Mike Jacobs, getting him to ground out to first. For the final out of the inning, Jorge Sosa came in with runners on second and third, and got Willingham to strike out swinging to end the inning.
Interesting inning management from Willie Randolph here, but I can't get on him because it worked. Wise struggled a bit, but before any damage was done he was pulled, in a nice move from Randolph. That's something I don't think he would have done last year.
Aaron Heilman finished out the game, striking out Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross to start the inning, and inducing a comebacker off the bat of Luis Gonzalez to end the game.
I didn't think he was going pitch at all when he didn't come in for the eighth. I guess we should throw out the book on how Randolph is handling the bullpen this year, or is it too early to tell?
The Mets offense came to play today, picking up 10 hits, five of them doubles.
David Wright and Carlos Beltran led the way, each picking up two doubles. Beltran started off the fourth inning with a double, scoring on an Angel Pagan double. Wright had a three-run double later in the six-run fourth, scoring Ryan Church, Luis Castillo and Jose Reyes.
Now that is how you start a season.
Reyes went 2-4, scoring once and driving in one run. Castillo was on base three times, picking up one hit and walking twice. Church and Marlon Anderson each picked up one hit on the day. Anderson singled in the ninth inning, moved to second on a Reyes sac-bunt, swiped third on a passed ball, and scored on the same play when Cantu couldn't handle the throw from Matt Treanor.
I could get used to some of this small ball stuff.
Game Ball: Mr. Johan Santana.
Santana's first final line
Johan Santana: 7 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 walks, 8 K's.
Santana allowed one home run to Josh Willingham, allowing both runs.
Honestly, could you ask much more of this man. Great stuff from him today. I'm going to jump the gun right now and get used to this. We better get this sort of stuff from him everyday. Too much to ask?
Santana allowed one home run to Josh Willingham, allowing both runs.
Honestly, could you ask much more of this man. Great stuff from him today. I'm going to jump the gun right now and get used to this. We better get this sort of stuff from him everyday. Too much to ask?
Lineup vs. the Marlins
Alright everyone...here we go!
Mets @ Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
Johan Santana vs. Mark Hendrickson
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
RF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana
This is the moment we've all been waiting for. I can't wait to watch the first inning, and then go to class. Awesome!
Mets @ Marlins, 4:10 p.m.
Johan Santana vs. Mark Hendrickson
Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
RF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana
This is the moment we've all been waiting for. I can't wait to watch the first inning, and then go to class. Awesome!
Santana effect felt in Venezuela
Jack Curry relays a pretty cool comment about Johan Santana from a sports writer from Venezuela, Alfredo Villasmil:
That's really awesome though. I wonder how much Mets merchandise is available in that country. I'm sure the Mets have enough smarts in their front office to get their shirts, hats, and all things numbered "57" down there as soon as possible.
"When Johan pitches,” Villasmil said, “the country is paralyzed."I'm sure the same feelings are being felt by Mets fans all around the tri-state area.
That's really awesome though. I wonder how much Mets merchandise is available in that country. I'm sure the Mets have enough smarts in their front office to get their shirts, hats, and all things numbered "57" down there as soon as possible.
Weather in Miami
According to Weather.com, it's supposed to rain all morning, and into the afternoon, until about 4 p.m. After that, it's supposed to get very windy.As long as they play baseball today, I'll be happy. A two hour rain delay would be nice though. Then I can watch the entire game.
I just made a bet with my American Political Literature teacher that if Johan Santana gives up 15 runs in the first inning, I have to cry in front of my class on Wednesday.
Don't make me have to do it, Mr. Santana. Please.
A message from Willie Randolph
This just popped up in my e-mail: A MESSAGE FROM WILLIE RANDOLPH
It goes on and on about how the team is amazing and how we will win and so on.
I think I'm going to adopt that phrase.
It goes on and on about how the team is amazing and how we will win and so on.
In closing I want to say one more thing. We all hated the way last year ended for us. For 98 percent of the season we were the best team in our division, but we let it slip away. When I spoke to the team this spring I didn't look backwards that much, I tried to look forward so we can all learn from what happened. The lesson is simple: don't take anything for granted and don't expect things to happen just because you think they will.Alright, I'm officially pumped. Make it happen.
The season is here. It's time to make it happen.
I think I'm going to adopt that phrase.
Lucky rocket ship underpants
The day us fans have waited half a year for is finally here.
Johan Santana will take the mound for the New York Mets as baseball season is back in business.
The question I pose to my readers is this: What are your superstitions?
Calvin, from Calvin & Hobbes, always had his lucky rocket ship underpants for good luck. What is your version of his underpants?
I know for a fact, I laid out my Carlos Beltran t-shirt last night and dusted off my Mets helmet to prepare for the game today. During football season I wore the same clothes for every game of the playoffs, and it worked.
Do you wear a special shirt? Do a special dance? Create a shrine of Mets memorabilia? Leave it in the comments!
Johan Santana will take the mound for the New York Mets as baseball season is back in business.
The question I pose to my readers is this: What are your superstitions?
Calvin, from Calvin & Hobbes, always had his lucky rocket ship underpants for good luck. What is your version of his underpants?
I know for a fact, I laid out my Carlos Beltran t-shirt last night and dusted off my Mets helmet to prepare for the game today. During football season I wore the same clothes for every game of the playoffs, and it worked.
Do you wear a special shirt? Do a special dance? Create a shrine of Mets memorabilia? Leave it in the comments!
3/30/08
25-man roster set
Joe Smith, Brady Clark, Mike Pelfrey and Raul Casanova all made the roster.
Orlando Hernandez, Duaner Sanchez and Ramon Castro are heading to the DL.
Here's the press release. I pretty much got everything I wish for.
And here is tomorrow's opening day lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Angel Pagan LF
Ryan Church RF
Brian Schneider C
Johan Santana P
Pretty interesting where Pagan is batting tomorrow. They're breaking up the lefty / lefty against Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson.
18 hours. Only 18 more hours.
Orlando Hernandez, Duaner Sanchez and Ramon Castro are heading to the DL.
Here's the press release. I pretty much got everything I wish for.
And here is tomorrow's opening day lineup:
Jose Reyes SS
Luis Castillo 2B
David Wright 3B
Carlos Beltran CF
Carlos Delgado 1B
Angel Pagan LF
Ryan Church RF
Brian Schneider C
Johan Santana P
Pretty interesting where Pagan is batting tomorrow. They're breaking up the lefty / lefty against Marlins starter Mark Hendrickson.
18 hours. Only 18 more hours.
Early indications
Today is the Mets final day to finalize their roster before they open the season against the Florida Marlins on Monday afternoon. It seems they are willing to wait right up until the 3 p.m. deadline to make their decisions.
Adam Rubin relays some things he's heard about the final spots that are still up for grabs:
If the Mets take Pelfrey, he won't be able to work on his mechanics as much, as he will have to win the game he is in. If he waits and stays in minor league camp, the results don't matter, so he can stay in a game even if he's given up a few runs just to work on his pitches. What do the Mets have to lose if they pitch Figueroa? Nothing. Why not give him a shot?
Smith, who struggled mightily early in spring, has come on strong these last few weeks. Yesterday was a great game for him, when he came in with the bases loaded, and got Alexi Ramirez to strike out on three pitches. Inherited runners was a huge problem for Smith last year and if he can remedy that, it would be a huge accomplishment.
Again, I don't get why Tatis is so wonderful. Sure, he can play pretty much any position besides center field if need be, but he doesn't play any of them especially well. We already have two guys in Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley who can play the entire infield and two guys in Endy Chavez and Angel Pagan who can play the entire outfield. So why do we need a guy who can do all of those, but none well? Clark will be much more lasting and consistent, I feel, and that's why I want him to make the team.
It's a travel day for me, back down to New Jersey for a bit and then back to Quinnipiac tonight. I'll be back with a recap of the day and the finalized roster moves tonight. Enjoy your last day before the season begins!
Adam Rubin relays some things he's heard about the final spots that are still up for grabs:
Mets officials appeared to be leaning toward placing Orlando Hernandez on the DL to start the season, paving the way for Mike Pelfrey to make at least two startsJust to reiterate, I'm supporting Pelfrey (or even Nelson Figueroa), Smith and Clark for the final spots.
---
Joe Smith also looked close to claiming the final spot in the bullpen, a vacancy created with Duaner Sanchez not yet ready for regular-season action.
---
Fernando Tatis also seemed to hold a lead over Brady Clark for the final bench spot, but a team insider insisted Tatis — who had a .212 Grapefruit League average — was not a foregone conclusion to be on the roster.
If the Mets take Pelfrey, he won't be able to work on his mechanics as much, as he will have to win the game he is in. If he waits and stays in minor league camp, the results don't matter, so he can stay in a game even if he's given up a few runs just to work on his pitches. What do the Mets have to lose if they pitch Figueroa? Nothing. Why not give him a shot?
Smith, who struggled mightily early in spring, has come on strong these last few weeks. Yesterday was a great game for him, when he came in with the bases loaded, and got Alexi Ramirez to strike out on three pitches. Inherited runners was a huge problem for Smith last year and if he can remedy that, it would be a huge accomplishment.
Again, I don't get why Tatis is so wonderful. Sure, he can play pretty much any position besides center field if need be, but he doesn't play any of them especially well. We already have two guys in Marlon Anderson and Damion Easley who can play the entire infield and two guys in Endy Chavez and Angel Pagan who can play the entire outfield. So why do we need a guy who can do all of those, but none well? Clark will be much more lasting and consistent, I feel, and that's why I want him to make the team.
It's a travel day for me, back down to New Jersey for a bit and then back to Quinnipiac tonight. I'll be back with a recap of the day and the finalized roster moves tonight. Enjoy your last day before the season begins!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)